Tweens are one of the toughest age groups to shop for. But not to worry, I have my own resident tween who is not afraid to tell us what she wants. And this year, I think we have hit the jackpot with these gifts. I secretly want these for myself! Don’t tell her because then it won’t be cool. Lily helped me with this list and she hand-picked all of these gifts. I think these are definitely the Best Gifts for Tweens this year.

Unicorn Onesie What tween does not like this right now? This unicorn obsession has gone from stationary to clothing and there is no shortage of super cute Unicorn Onesies for kids. ( and adults – I may or may not have bought myself a pair)

Tassles on your iPhone! This too is a super cute trend that I am secretly – not so secretly– coveting. You can find tons of variations on this fun accessory with variations on colors and hanging goodies.

Cat Ear Headphone I mean! Who doesn’t need gold cat headphones! Suuuper fun accessory for the tween who is always listening to the hottest tunes.

iPhone PopSocket Another great accessory for your phone. The Pop Socket allows you to hold onto the phone without the chance of dropping and is pretty great for getting that ‘just right’ selfie angle.

Bath Bomb Gift Sets We love bath bombs around this house. Lily has been making them and it’s such a little luxury in the bath. Total MUST and again… I’m getting some for me too.

Nailmatic Nail Polish & Rollette Lip Gloss SetI love Nailmatic products. This French brand has custom colors and is water-based. The kids nail polish can easily be washed off with soap and water but if you want something that stays on longer, Nailmatic makes an adult line of polishes that stay on longer.

Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm
Remember a couple years ago when Baby Lips launched and it was sold out everywhere! While the craze is not THAT crazy, it is still a pretty popular option for a lip balm with the tween set. Maybe it’s the kitschy packaging or the soft scents or that it actually works, either way, it’s wallet-friendly and a cute something to add to stockings this year.

Fuji Instax Mini Camera
This is a classic gift for tweens and teens. The Fuji Instax takes photos and has a built-in selfie mirror. I recommend the bundle that is offered that includes a case, extra film with filters and more.

Minnetonka Junior Trapper Faux Fur Lined Moccasin
Super comfortable and can be worn indoors and out, The Minnetonka Moccasins are a great gift for the cold weather. These mocs come in various colors allowing you to choose from the classic browns or new pastels.The faux fur lined mocs are super cozy for the toes!

Google Home Mini – Chalk : Target
The Google Home Mini is a great gift for kids. There is SOOO much you can do with this gadget and it’s a great price point. Kids can have these in their rooms and parents can control the privacy setting of what they listen to or ask google.

Today is Small Business Saturday! This is a fantastic initiative by American Express to support your indie retailers. Whether it’s at stores that line your local towns or online maker shops, I encourage you to shop small today and support your local communities. I’m sharing my Favorite Small Stores for Small Business Saturday.

If you are unable to get out to go shopping at your local shops today, I have made a list of some of my favorite shops online. The best part is that I know these owners personally and love their creative energy, their beautiful product, and their business ethics.

Please shop small today and as often as you can!

Yellow Oak Studio Nualls, the owner of Yellow Oak Studio, made us a set of hand-painted nursery room prints themed around New York City. we love these cute prints! I met Nualla a few years ago and have loved her artwork ever since. You can grab cards, framed prints and so much more. All handmade in New York.

Madame Mathilde Jen Niles is a friend and a busy mom of three who makes stunning jewelry pieces that dress up any occasion. These pieces are made from vintage pieces, rhinestones, gemstones and antique chandelier crystals. You can get 30% off today by using code GIVETHANKS.

PiccoliniNYC I could not love Alex and her little store in Manhattan more. This is one of my most favorite stores and now with online offerings, it’s accessible to everyone. Our favorite pieces are Alex’s original design with a special take on the classic I Love NY logo. This store is a MUST for all the coolest kids and parents! Use code THANKFUL for 20% off this weekend.

OldNewHouse – After online success and a cult following, Melissa and her husband recently opened their flagship store in our small town here in the suburbs of NYC. Since the opening, there has been a constant stream of shoppers, fans, and locals who frequent this cute store for vintage finds. While they started out in authentic vintage rugs, their store now carries rare finds for kids decor, home office, gifts, furniture and so much more. Their online store has tons of goodies ready for the taking!

Brooklynn Roese Celebrating the creative essence of childhood and life is Brooklynn Roese designs. These gorgeous clothes for moms, kids, and baby do not shy away from color or creative design.

Edwards Shoes Edward starting making shoes a few years ago and has quickly become a favorite among shoe enthusiasts. His handmade shoes use materials made in the US and are all handcrafted by him. Clients get a hands-on experience with custom-made shoes that fit their specific feet.

FancySchmancyBaby – For the baby born with high couture in their blood, my neighbor and friend makes the cutest clothes. Lauren upcycles T-shirts into rompers and makes her own designs for the little. Her kids are always dressed in the cutest prints, rompers, and pants that don’t sacrifice comfort for fashion!

I am pretty particular about the fabrics the kids wear. These fabrics are touching their skin, their stinky-sweaty bodies and I just worry about how this is effecting their pores, skin, and overall health. We switched to all cotton long time ago, when Lily was around 5 years old and with Thomas we continue to use mostly cotton clothing. This is especially important when it comes to bedtime wear and underwear.

I’m working with Lucky and Me to give away a fab $75 shopping spree to one lucky reader. We recently discovered Lucky and Me and absolutely love it. All products are made from a super soft organic cotton or cotton blend. We have the cotton tees, briefs and boxers and really love the quality. They only get softer when washed! Lucky and Me has both girls and boys underwear in all styles and colors.

Are you ready for a shopping spree?? Let’s do it.

To enter to win – You must follow the rafflecopter link to enter. Contest ends at 12AM on Saturday 9/16.

Leave only ONE comment on this blog post AND swing by my FB page – New York Mom.

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. We really do love cotton underwear!! and looove this new brand we discovered. Thanks for stopping by and hearing about the brands who sponsor The New York Mom.

Like this:

Amazon Prime Day is here, and it’s like Cyber Monday without the pressure to buy gifts for others. All to say: great deals to buy the stuff you want for yourself. Matt picked all of these and they are all on his wish list!

A great growler is a gift that keeps on giving. Sharing is optional, but with growler filling stations popping up everywhere from breweries to convenience stores, having a growler at the ready is an invitation to enjoy great brew whenever and wherever. With Prime Day, this tipsy tipper will only set you back about $20.

An Apple Watch is great, but there are times when analog is the way to go. This simple, classic Timex watch is reasonably water-resistant and easy to wear. Appropriately called the “Weekender,” this is a great way to unplug, if even for a moment. Replacement straps are cheap, easy ways to change it up. $42 on Prime Day.

Jack Spade is truly my bag, and if I had to pick one, this industrial messenger ($108 for Prime Day) is the perfect combo of industrial and tailored, professional and casual. Honestly, there are dozens of great choices with tremendous deals for Prime Day.

Did I tell you about the year I spent working next door to one of New Haven’s great pizza places? Perfectly charred crust from a brick oven filled the air. While I cannot pretend that I will reach the standards of Sally’s, but with the PizzaQue, I’m going to try! $54 on Prime Day.

Last summer, I did a full purge of my closet. I donated and threw away almost all my summer clothing. Well here we are… summer… and I don’t have a thing to wear!

I’ve really been loving the subtle blue and white stripe trend that has taken over. I also love the off the shoulder dresses and shirts and large sunnies that are making a comeback. And tassel earrings! Who knew you could stick tassels onto earrings and it would work!

Here are some of my absolute fave pieces this summer.

// The off the shoulder dress is a staple this season. I like the stripes and the little ruffle at the shoulders. Grab one in a neutral like black and white or blue and white and you can mix it up with all sorts of colorful accessories.

// A pair of Swedish Hasbeens are my go-to summer sandal! These strappy vintage sandals are perfect for the entire season and I basically live in mine! You can find some deals at Zappos.

// Michael Kors has this new tote bag that is perfection. The round handle and the relaxed look is great for travel, outdoor dinners, or weekending in the Hamptons!

// Bar Necklaces are my favorite. They are simple but still make a statement. I suggest layering multiple pieces! You can find tons of designers on ETSY.

// A statement watch is always a good idea. I like to mix materials and this Fossil watch fits the summertime bill!

// And tassel earrings! Tassel everything this season. I love these bright blue earrings from TheOutNet.

// Oversized sunnies! LOVE! My round face is totally complimented best by a pair of oversized sunglasses. This subtle shade of rose is a great color for all skin shades.

Like this:

Father’s Day is right around the corner and I want to share some of my favorite finds for Dad’s. For the Papa on the go, the jetsetter, the cook, and all around dapper gent, these gifts are sure to be classic staples for any man.

Harry’s Men’s Grooming – Harrys is the latest kid on the block in men’s grooming and you can find this very affordable line anywhere from Target to Barneys NY. These high quality blades and creams are just simple with a clean design esthetic. Matt’s been using this brand for months ( since they launched) and he approves!

Jack Spade Mens Travel Backpackis an easy carry-on bucket bag backpack that can hold a laptop and all the essentials. It has a top handle or can be worn as a backpack. We love this brand and the kids and I have gifted Matt several pieces from the mens collection. Highly recommend Jack Spade for simple, classic, sleek mens bags.

Beats by Dr Dre Men’s Tech Accessory is the perfect gift for dad’s who travel a lot. These headphones drown out the noise so you can just wear them without any music piping in for a relaxing trip on the airplane. The sound quality, when you are playing music, is pretty amazing. I also like that these are wireless and the leather padded headband is very comfortable.

Skagen Slim Mens Watch is a must for dads. Whether it’s a business trip across the world or a weekend at the playground with the littles, this watch looks sharp and put together no matter what the occasion.

Burberry Cuff Link is a classic staple that dresses up any suit. I always think that cufflinks are a great gift, especially when you splurge just a bit. These are a pretty significant accessory for menswear and if you gift a fancy one like these from Burberry, it’s a staple piece!

Top Chef Masterchef 15 piece Cutlery Set – I don’t know about you, but my husband loves to cook. He loves creating flavors and slicing the fresh veggies, meats and herbs just right. This 15 piece knife set is perfect for your Top Chef!

Like this:

This post was sponsored by Speedo USA. I received Speedo products as compensation.

It’s that time of the year, bird are chirping, tulips are popping out of the frozen ground , snow is melting, weather is warming and I have the think about swimsuit season!

For most of us, shopping for a swimsuit is not fun. Over the summer, I spend almost every single day at out town pool with our neighbors. While this might sound like an ideal situation – lounging at the pool for endless hours, reading a book, sipping on a cold drink, chatting with neighbors. It’s not all you are imagining. My pool experience with a preschooler consists of getting in and out of the pool several times, being cold and wet and while in the pool being tugged on in all directions, bathroom runs, swims in the deep pool with Thomas grabbing onto me and the best part having to chase him all around the pool with nothing on but a swimsuit suit! Not a good look!

This season, I’ve teamed up with Speedo USA to share some pretty amazing swimsuit finds that I know will be mom approved. For a summer town pool suit, I’m looking for comfort, great quality, support in the mid section and of course style. Most of all I want a quality suit that will keep up with our busy summer that includes, water skiing, paddle board, surfing and daily trips to the town pool.

Speedo has lots of options for swimsuits but I choose a couple one pieces that are comfortable and quick to throw on. The Ombre suit is my fave and is made from a Xtra Life LYCRA® fabric that resists the effects of chlorine to last longer than conventional swim fabrics. I also like that it had built in cups for shape. The Pebble Texture One Piece has extra support in the mid section a v-neck and a conservative fit. Something busy moms of toddlers and preschoolers will appreciate for sure.

When the town pool opens, we collect all our pool gear – towels, sunscreen, toys – and head up to the pool for hours. We end up meeting friends and sometimes even order pizza for dinner at the pool. A comfortable swimsuit is essential for these days and a cover-up is a must!

I encourage you to swing by Speedo USA to check out their suits. I found some great two pieces and cover-ups to last me my entire summer! Shopping for a swimsuit doesn’t have to be scary, you just have to find the right brand.

Happy Summer all!

My blog may contain links to other websites. I am not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites. When you click on a link, your information may be collected by those websites so I encourage you to read their privacy policies.

Like this:

#StronglikeMomGuess what we found at Target yesterday! These super cute shirts that read… STRONG LIKE MOM.

I am SUCH a fan of the new Cat and Jack line at Target. The clothes are totally on trend for kids with great graphic tees. I grabbed one of these shirts for Thomas this past week and he wore it to school today! When he asked what was written on his shirt, i said – STRONG LIKE MOM. And he immediately showed me his strong muscles… like mom!

The Strong Like Mom phrase is significant because it has an empowering message. Words have power and attaching words like strong to women changes the overall social dialogue about women and girls. I don’t want to get into any gender specific debates but I do appreciate this word ” STRONG” when used to describe us… moms!

Usually I see words like sweet and beautiful and pretty when referring to campy phrases about Moms. While words like “strong” are saved for the Dads. These words are so important, especially these days where the sexist divide is so deep.

Thomas thinks I’m the strongest person he’s ever met. We call ourselves ‘The Fast Guys”…. we break all the rules! He has even changed the words to “Bob the Builder’ to sing – ‘Mommy, Mommy, can she fix it. Mommy, Mommy yes she can’ !

Like this:

As Lily gets older, parenting takes on a new strategy. Instead of slaying dragons and knock-knock jokes, we are now handling mood swings, cell phones privileges and navigating social lives. One thing that I have enjoyed with the tween-dom is getting my hair done. Lily is really into discovering new ways of braiding hair or curling it and I am only too happy to be her ever ready hair model.

Lily is in middle school and any parent of a child in middle school will tell you that these years are full of navigating social norms, mood swings and how one looks! I try to encourage positive body image and hair image any way I can and one of the most simplest and effective ways is through words. I encourage Lily to let her hair just flow naturally. She has thick brown hair that straightens out really well and holds a great curl so her hair issues are nowhere near as major as my curly frizzy hair!

Hair can be a pretty defining part of our overall image. While I never thought much about my hair, except the occasional complaint about frizz, it wasn’t until my pregnancy that I realized the impact my hair had on my overall identity.

My long thick black hair lost most of its volume during pregnancy and it wasn’t until almost 3 years later that it started to grow back to its full thickness. The hair came back in full force…along with a few straggly greys that stick straight up from my scalp. I mean… not fun!

Lily and I both share the same adventurous spirit and our hair certainly reflects that… and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I am excited to be part of Dove’s #LoveYourHair campaign to celebrate all types of hair. What do you love about your hair? I encourage you… dear reader… to make your own 3 second video of you and your daughter and tell us why you Love Your Hair! Be sure to use #LoveYourHair and use this link to make your own quick snap! http://bit.ly/2gHGfgi

Like this:

The kids are in the middle of the hot days of summer and while we here in New York still have over a month and half to go before school starts, most of the country starts in mid August. Lily starts 6th grade, this fall, and it’s very exciting. Her sense of style is really becoming her own and no longer will I be able to pick out her accessories, clothes and backpacks.

To keep up with your picky tweens awesome personality, I’ve picked a few of our favorite backpacks this season. Everything from the trendy Pokemon to the classic Herchel is here on this list to fit your picky tweens style!